Field Law, a western and northern regional law firm, is excited to announce the Northern Alberta winners of the Field Law Community Fund Program (“the Program”). This year, the Program celebrated its fifth year of supporting local community initiatives in Southern Alberta, Northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

Field Law awarded six prizes and one grand prize to community projects in the Northern Alberta market. This year’s winners are the Mount Oliver Lutheran Church, Pilgrims Hospice Society, the Edmonton Mental Health Awareness Committee (EMHAC), Sing for Life Society of Alberta, Bissell Centre, and Gordon Russell’s Crystal Kids Youth Centre. This year’s grand prize winner is the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts.

The Community Fund Program supports community initiatives in the markets in which Field Law operates. In 2017, the Program will distribute a total of $75,000 to community initiatives, with $30,000 going to each of the Northern and Southern Alberta markets, and $15,000 going to the Northwest Territories market.

The 2017 Program received nearly 100 applications and a record turnout for online voting. Winners of the Program are decided by a community judging panel and public voting. This year, the Program earned a record-breaking total of 50,018 votes across all three markets, including over 14,000 votes in the Northern Alberta market.

“We’re pleased to support a number of community initiatives in Northern Alberta for the fifth year of the Program” said Jeremiah Kowalchuk, Executive Committee member and Partner at Field Law. “Each initiative makes a unique and positive impact, and we’re proud to celebrate the fifth year of the Community Fund Program by supporting initiatives that strengthen Edmonton and surrounding communities.”

Field Law is pleased to announce the following Northern Alberta market winners of the 2017 Community Fund Program:

“Heart of the Art in Silk”: GRAND PRIZE WINNER - $6,000

The Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts provides opportunities for people who have social or economic barriers to participate in the arts. The Centre runs silk-screening, fibre crafts and ceramic workshops for over 170 artists with developmental disabilities. Funding from the Program will be used to purchase supplies and coordinate workshops for The Heart in the Art in Silk annual silk-screening workshop series.

 “#YEGSEMICOLON Mental Health Festival”: WINNER - $5,000

The #YEGSEMICOLON Mental Health Festival is a one-day event bringing together caregivers and resources that provide support to individuals living with mental illness. Funding from the Program will go towards the third annual Festival which will have activities and entertainment open to all ages and aims to reduce social isolation and strengthen the Mental Health Community within Edmonton.

“Music Classes for Families with Mom’s in Conflict with the Law”: WINNER - $5,000

The Sing for Life Society of Alberta brings the performing arts to marginalized communities in Edmonton, with a focus on women in conflict with the law and men facing economic challenges who have young children. The funds received from the Program will contribute to workshops and classes that use music education to develop personal and social skills to build community.  

“Ready to Rent”: WINNER - $5,000

Bissell Centre offers programs that work with people experiencing homelessness or individuals and families who are unstably housed. The Program will support four six-week educational programs on healthy, secure housing for landlords and tenants, and preparing many of the Centre’s clients for tenancy.  

“Transitioning at Crystal Kids”: WINNER - $5,000

Gordon Russell’s Crystal Kids Youth Centre is a community-based provider of intervention and prevention services through youth mentorship. The Transitioning program aims to support healthy development, education and peer engagement with disadvantaged youth in Edmonton. Funding from the Program will support the Centre’s programs and services for youth in their key developmental demographic.

“Grief First Aid for Professionals”: WINNER - $3,000

Pilgrims Hospice Society (PHS) provides support to individuals diagnosed with progressive, life-threatening illnesses along with support for those who are bereaved. The Grief First Aid for Professionals program educates healthcare and social work professionals so they can lead programs at PHS, and will use funding from the Program to support research, curriculum development and the delivery of future workshops.

“Inner City Lunches”: WINNER - $1,000

Coordinated by the Mount Oliver Lutheran Church, the Inner City Lunches project provides men, women, children and families struggling with low incomes and homelessness with balanced meals and access to resources and support programs. Funding from the Program will go towards the purchase and preparation of lunches, and support the staff and volunteers that make the lunches possible.

ABOUT FIELD LAW

Field Law is a western and northern regional business law firm listed as one of the largest in Canada, with offices in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta and Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The firm is a proud, strong and independent multi-office regional firm with lawyers dedicated to professional excellence, client service and delivering value. More than 120 lawyers and 160 staff work together to provide a wide variety of legal services to businesses and institutions in corporate and commercial matters, litigation and dispute resolution, labour and employment, insurance, energy, intellectual property, privacy, professional regulatory and medical malpractice issues. Additionally, the firm provides private services to individuals including estate planning services and real estate transactions.  

Field Law Community Fund Program - 2017 Northern Alberta Winners

For media inquiries, please contact:

Maddie Alvarez
NATIONAL Public Relations
Phone: 403-531-0331